Cocahoe Minnow - The LSU AgCenter

There are two types of production scenarios regardless
of the growing facility (whether ponds, pools or
recirculating systems). These scenarios are the twophase
system, which uses two isolated units: one for
broodstock to produce eggs and the other to hatch and
grow the minnows to market size. The three-phase
systems have separate units for broodstock, hatching
eggs, and grow out (Figure 5.1). A dependable supply
of salt or brackish water of good quality and quantity is
very important to the successful culture of killifish in a
Figure 5.1 Two and three phase system.
Chapter 5. Production Systems
production facility. Size of production system is usually
dependent on the water to refill between crops and the
quantity of fish that can be handled safely. The systems
used in production are summarized below.
Ponds
Pond aquaculture is one of the oldest methods of
growing fishes. Pond culture has been used successfully
in raising cocahoe minnow in several southern coastal
states. Growth of cocahoes is inversely related to
7
Figure 5.2 Lateral diagram of ideal pond form.
stocking density; hence juvenile minnows (0.3 g to 0.5
g each) have been grown at 50,000 to 200,000 fish per
acre in grow-out ponds depending on how soon they
are needed on the market. Generally, the lower the
stocking density, the faster the growth will be.
The optimum pond size has not been evaluated because
most of the experimental studies have used smaller
ponds (about 0.2 to 1 acre surface area). Natural
productivity is critical to the successful culture of
cocahoe minnows in ponds hence water should be
fertilized to stimulate production of natural foods.
Pond bottoms should be smooth and well graded to
allow easy drainage. Culture ponds should have catch
basins to assist in harvesting fish (Figure 5.2). Ponds of
approximately 3-4 feet average depth having about 1.5
feet at the shallow and 5 feet at drainage end are good
for minnow culture. All ponds should be filled with
water that is passed through a fine cloth filter, about 800
microns or 0.03 inch is recommended, to eliminate wild
fish that could compete for food or eat the cocahoes.
Pools
Above ground
tanks made of
plastic or fiberglass
have been used as
pools for growing
minnows. Research
at the Aquaculture
Research Station
has utilized pools
with bottoms filled
Figure 5.3 Fiberglass pools used for egg
production. Photo: Craig Gothreaux
with dirt, which has proved to be valuable in regulating
ammonia concentrations. As in ponds, natural
productivity in pools is very important as it provides